The incumbent Democrat spoke Wednesday before about three dozen veterans at a VFW post in the St. Louis suburb of Overland. She touted her record on veterans issues and criticized Akin’s positions.

But confronted by reporters after the appearance, McCaskill steered clear of the backlash over Akin’s recent comments that victims of what he called “legitimate rape” are able to naturally prevent pregnancy.

Asked repeatedly about Akin, McCaskill would only say over and over that Missouri voters in the GOP primary had picked Akin. She refused to say whether he should stay in the race or get out.